NC man honored for his trail work in Va.

A volunteer who often pedals more than 30 miles a day assisting hikers along a popular southwest Virginia trail is being recognized by the U.S. Forest Service.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

DAMASCUS, Va. — A volunteer who often pedals more than 30 miles a day assisting hikers along a popular southwest Virginia trail is being recognized by the U.S. Forest Service.

Doug Goss of Ashe County, N.C., is being honored with the 2012 National Trails Volunteer of the Year award for his service on the Virginia Creeper Trail, which covers 34 miles from the North Carolina state line to the town of Abingdon in Virginia.

The Forest Service says Goss began volunteering at the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in 2009. Forestry officials say he commonly bikes 30 or miles a day to provide information to trail users, first aid, bike repairs and training for other volunteers. He also helps maintain and repair the trail, which has nearly 200,000 visitors each year.